Winter Garden Preparation Tips for Ontario (Zone 5)

Winter Garden Preparation Tips for Ontario (Zone 5)

As winter approaches, residents of Toronto and the GTA take steps to prepare themselves and their homes for the cold—from pulling out winter clothing to topping up bird feeders and installing snow tires. Your garden deserves the same level of attention. Trees, shrubs, perennials, and container plants can all benefit from a bit of preparation before the first frost hits.

Hardy plants like holly, yew, and dogwood can offer beautiful contrast in the winter landscape. However, others—such as boxwood, newly planted cedars, shrubs, and tender perennials—are more vulnerable and can suffer damage or even die without proper winter protection. Preparing your garden now will ensure it survives and flourishes next spring.

Your Winter To-Do List

• Apply a thick layer of mulch to your autumn garden beds to insulate and protect tender roots. You can use straw, leaves, traditional mulch.
• Erect burlap screens around boxwoods and newly planted cedars to shield them from wind and harsh temperatures. This may require the help of a professional. Snow and wind can be particularly difficult to keep out if your burlap wrap or frame isn’t properly installed. 
• Move container plants indoors if they are not cold-hardy (e.g., hibiscus, ferns). Why not enjoy the plants you loved all summer all the way into winter. Some get leggy but others are just as wonderful as midsummer and will save you money next summer.
• Empty containers that you aren’t overwintering the plants indoors. Soil in terracotta and ceramic containers can expand and shrink over the winter season, often causing the vessel to crack or break. Best to empty and store them until next year.
• Once frost has arrived, remove spent or dying plants from gardens to reduce the risk of disease and pest overwintering. 
• In vegetable beds, pull out dead plants, add compost, and top with mulch such as leaves, straw, cardboard, or bark. The compost will break down over winter, enriching the soil for spring planting.

Once plants have had a few seasons to establish themselves, they become more resilient to winter stress. However, any species that are not ideally suited to Ontario’s Zone 5 climate will continue to need extra protection. Choosing plants that are well-suited to your local climate is the best way to ensure long-term garden success.

By following these steps, you’ll help your garden not only survive winter but come back stronger and more vibrant in the spring.